My name is Atiqul Islam, and I’ve spent over 15 years working deeply with WordPress. building site, fixing problem, and optimizing it at every level. A common problem still frustrates both beginners and expert developers is the WP fatal error.
It doesn’t come alone. Often, it brings friends. haha, because few more similar error like below.
- 500 internal server error
- Too many redirects
- Or a white screen with no clues at all
If you’ve been stuck trying to fix these, this guide will walk you through how to solve them without repeating generic advice.
What Is a WP Fatal Error?
A WP fatal error usually stops your entire WordPress site from loading. It’s a signal that something inside your site’s PHP code has broken. WordPress, being PHP driven, crashes when it hits a critical problem.
The typical causes of a WP fatal error include following.
- A plugin or theme calling a missing function (most of case it is plugin)
- Conflicts between two active plugins
- A recent update not compatible with your current PHP version
- Memory limits being exceeded
It’s not random. Something changed before the crash. maybe you installed a new plugin or changed a line of code. That change the matters.
The 500 Internal Server Error Isn’t actually a Server Problem
People assume this error comes from bad hosting. In WordPress, a 500 internal server error often follows a WP fatal error. It means the server tried to process your request but failed. usually without enough information to tell you why.
Check the following
- A broken
.htaccessfile - Incorrect file permissions
- Missing dependencies from a recently deleted plugin
- Server limits hit during execution
And remember, don’t just refresh your browser hoping it’ll fix itself. This is a back-end issue.
The “Too Many Redirects” Error Is Often Self-Inflicted
You’ll see this when the browser is sent in circles. redirecting between pages or domains endlessly. Often, it follows SSL misconfigurations or plugin conflicts.
Here’s what might be causing it:
- Mixed SSL settings between WordPress and hosting
- A caching plugin forcing HTTPS when it’s already being handled by the server
- Hardcoded redirects in
.htaccess - Changes to the WordPress Address or Site URL without clearing cache
It also can be triggered during failed attempts to solve a WP fatal error.
Step-by-Step Fix for a WP Fatal Error and Related Issues
Here’s how I handle these issues when clients hire me for their site:-
Enable WordPress Debugging
Open your wp-config.php and add the following code
define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);This won’t show errors on the frontend but will log them to /wp-content/debug.log, where you’ll find the exact file and line causing the WP fatal error.
For deeper technical insights into how PHP interacts with WordPress, the official PHP manual is a valuable resource. I often refer this &
It’s especially useful when decoding the root cause of a WP fatal error related to function handling or memory issues.
Disable All Plugins via File Access
If you can’t access the wp dashboard, log in to your site via FTP or File Manager. Rename the plugins folder to plugins_old. That will deactivate all plugins instantly.
Its time to do following below…
- Try reloading your site
- If it loads, the WP fatal error was plugin-related
- Rename the folder back and reactivate plugins one by one to find the faulty one
Repair or Regenerate .htaccess code
The .htaccess file manages core rewrite rules and security behavior. A broken one can cause both WP fatal error and 500 errors.
To regenerate your code do following.
- Delete it (or rename for backup)
- Go to Settings > Permalinks and click Save
WordPress will create a fresh one with the correct default rules. otherwise you can find the default code at wordpress forum & documentions.
Adjust Memory Limits
Open wp-config.php for once again and add/modify the line below. if you already have 256M then increase to 512M.
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');A low memory limit can cause operations to time out. this time out happen for larger plugins or themes & triggering a WP fatal error.
Fix URL Conflicts and SSL Redirection
If you’re getting redirect loops & browser notice you too many redirection then do the following below.
- Log in to your database via phpMyAdmin
- Locate
wp_options - Check that both
siteurlandhomematch and use eitherhttporhttpsconsistently - Clear browser and server cache after fixing
Avoid overlapping redirect settings across plugins, server config, and .htaccess
When You Should Stop Guessing and find an expert?
There are situation when you’ve done everything, but your site still crashes with WP fatal error. If the logs don’t help and nothing obvious stands out! it may be time to let someone dissect your setup.
I offer custom diagnostics and plugin audits on your WordPress setup. If you’d rather focus on your content or business and let someone else handle the problem, I’ve got the experience and tools to track down any hidden issue.
Conclusion
A WP fatal error isn’t random. It’s a sign your site is trying to do something but no longer knows how to complete. Whether it’s a plugin conflict, a memory issue, or bad configuration, there’s will have a valid reason.
And once you know how to spot it, fix it, and prevent it, your WordPress site becomes more stable. soon your users see the smooth experience they expect.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, feel free to hire me for a personalized WordPress error audit and I’ll help you fix it quickly and properly.